Casket lowering apparatus



Oct. 20, 1931. w, CANADAY 1,828,391

CASKET LOWERING APPARATUS Filed April 10, 1931 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Inventor W14 .C'anaday Oct. 20, 1931. w. A. CANADAY CASKET LOWERING APPARATUS Filed April 10, 1931 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 ,A Home y Oct. 20, 1931. w. A. CANADAY CASKET LOWERING APPARATUS Filed April 10, 1951 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented Oct. 20, 1931 PATENT OFFICE WALTER A. CANADAY, OF BRIDGEPORT, NEBRASKA CASKET LOWERING arrana'rus Application filed April 10,

The present invention relates to improvements in apparatus used for lowering caskets into graves and the prime object of the invention resides in the provision of means whereby the casket may be slid over the apparatus from one end thereby eliminating the necessity of the pallbearers walking alongside-of the grave and the attendant dangers thereto.

Another very important object of the into vention resides in the provision of an apparatus of this nature which is in the formof an attachment which may be utilized on a number of different makes 'ofcasket lowering apparatus.

A still further very important object of this invention resides in the provision of an apparatus of this nature 'whlch is simple in V its construction, inexpensive to manufacture,

thoroughly efficient and reliable in use and operation, and otherwise well adapted to the purpose for which it is designed.

With the above and numerous other objects in view as will appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in certain novel features of construction, and in the combination and arran ement of parts as will be hereinafter more ul ly described and claimed.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a top'plan view of a casket lowering apparatus showing my improvements mounted thereon.

Figure 2 is a vertical transverse section therethrough taken substantially on the line 2-2 of F i'gure 1.

Figure 3 is a vertical transverse section therethrough taken substantially on the line -3-3 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is an enlarged detail section taken subistantially on the line 4-4 of Figure 1, an

Figure 5 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 5--5 of Figure 4.

Referring to the drawings in detail it will be seen that the conventional casket lowering apparatus disclosed, which may be of any preferred construction, includes the usual side shafts 5 on which are windable belts 6. I utilize a plurality of arms 7 'onithese shafts 5, the arms being disposed in pairs.

A detail description of one of the'arms,

1931. Serial No. 529.22

ratchet 11 located in an annular recess 12 in the bearing. A recess 14 is formed in the arm communicating with the recess 12. A pawl 15 is pivotally mounted in the recess 14; to engage the ratchet 11 and is normally held in engagement therewith by means of a spring 16. A pin 17 extends from the pawl through a slot in the arm to be accessible exteriorly thereof so that the pawl may be released from-the ratchet should this be desired. On each arm there is journalled a roller 18 located longitudinally thereof adj acent the free end. thereof.

A pair ofhollow members 20 are telescopically associated and have a pin and slot limiting connection 21 therebetweem Longitudinally disposed rollers 22 are journalled in the members 20 on top thereof. The outer ends of the members 20 terminate in hook like portions 23 toengage over the shafts 5. This device including the member 20 is located'at one end of the casket lowering apparatus. The arms 7 are swung up to horizontal positions. rollers 22 and is then pushed longitudinally over the casket lowering apparatus to rest on the rollers 18. Then when the shafts 15 are released the arms 15 will swing downwardly with the shafts so the casket will be supported by the belt 6 in the usual well known manner. Obviously the apparatus with these improvements may be -easily and quickly reset.

It is thought that the construction, operation, utility and advantages of this invention will now be. quite apparent to those skilled in The casket is placed with one end on this art without a more detailed description of advantages enumerated as desirable in the statement of the invention and the above description.

It will be apparent that changes in the detalls of construction, and in the combination and arrangement of parts may be resorted to Without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed or sacrificing any of its advantages.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new is:

In combination with a casket lowering apparatus, wherein the apparatus includes a pair of rotatable shafts and belts having ends windable on said shafts, a plurality of arms on the shafts extending inwardly therefrom, and pawl and ratchet means connecting the arms with the shafts so that the arms will swing downwardly between the shafts as the shaft rotates and may be swung upwardly for resetting at will, rollers j ournalled on said arms adjacent their free ends, a member comprising a pair of telescopically associated elements with hook shaped ends to engage over the shafts, and rollers journalled on said elements.

In testimony whereof I afix my signature WALTER A. CANADAY. 

